Wringer-supporting mechanism for washing machines



J. L. COE FIELD.

WRINGER SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 13, mm

lfimfimo Patented May 2,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET l 1 L. COFFIEL-DY.

WRINGER SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.13, 1920.

1 ,4]. 55 l Patented, May 2, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

JAMES L. COFFIELD, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

WRINGEBrS'UPPORTING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1922.

Application filed December 13, 1920. Serial N 0 430,218.

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES L. COFFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wringer-Supporting Mechanism for Washing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a wringer supporting mechanism for washing machines, or the like.

One object of the invention is to provide means for adjustably supporting the wringer on the washing machine frame and for securing the same thereon in any adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective clamping device for securing the wringer in its adjusted positions.

A. further object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism which will be of a strong durable character and which will be very simple in its operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.-

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, of the pivotal support and securing device for the wringer; Fig. 3 is a view taken at right angles to Fig. 2 and partly in section; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views of parts of the clamping device.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as applied to an electrically operated washing machine of a known construction, but it will be understood that this particular machine has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and that not only may the invention be applied to washing machines of various kinds, but that the invention itself may take other forms'than that here shown without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the particular embodiment of the invention here illustrated the washing machine comprises a main frame 1 which is provided with pivot pins 2 upon which is mounted for oscillating movement a clothes receptacle 3, which may be substantially cythereto, and which is actuated by a crank 5 through a connecting rod 6. The crank 5 is rigidly secured to a shaft 7 journaled in the frame 1 and having mounted thereon a gear 8 which meshes with a pinion 9 on a shaft 10, also mounted in the frame 1. The shaft 10 may be rotated from any suitable source of power and in the machine here illustrated this shaft is provided with a belt pulley 11 which is connected by means of a belt 12 with an electric motor 13, mounted on the frame 1, which motor constitutes the driving mechanism, or prime mover, of the clothes receptacle.

A wringer 14, of any suitable construction, is mounted upon the frame 1 of the washing machine and is operated by driv ing mechanism carried by the frame and. as here shown, is driven from the motor 13 which operates the clothes receptacle. The wringer 14 is mounted upon the frame 1 in such a manner that it can be easily removed therefrom and replaced thereon, to permit the washing machine as a whole to be packed in compact form for shipping or storage. Further, the wringer is pivotally mounted upon the frame so that it can be moved into various positions with relation to the clothes receptacle, or with relation to a tub arranged in proximity to the W3.Sl1-' ing machine, and means are provided for firmly securing the wringer in its adjusted positions.

The wringer is carried by a suitable supporting device which, as here shown, comprises an arm, or bracket, 15, rigidly secured to and projecting laterally from a head 16 having apart, such as a short hollow pivot shaft, 17 rotatably mounted in a socket formed in a socket structure, or bearing member, 18 which is rigidly secured to the upper portion of the frame 1. A shaft 19 is connected with the rollers of the wringer to operate the same, and this shaft is adapted to be connected, through the agency of a clutch 20, with either one of two beveled gears 21 which are loosely mounted on the shaft 19 and are preferably arranged in a housing 22' carried by the head 16. Both gears 21 are in constant mesh with a beveled gear 23 and, consequently,

tions.

cur1ng the wrlnger supporting device, and,

will be rotated in opposite directions by that gear, and by connecting one or the other of the beveled gears 21 with the shaft, through the medium of the clutch 20, the rollers of the wringer may be driven in either direction. Preferably a suitable operating device, such as a handle, or a crank, 24 is mounted in the wall of the housing 22 for operating the clutch. The beveled gear 23 is secured to the upper end of a short shaft 25 which is journaled in a bushing 26 mounted in the part, or pivot shaft. 17 of the wringer supporting device. This short shaft 25 is adapted to be connected with, or disconnected from, the driving mechanism on the frame 1 when the wringer supporting device is placed in, or removed from, the socket structure 18, and in the particular form of the device here shown the shaft 25 is provided at its lower end with a laterally extending pin 27 adapted to enter a slot, or recess. 28 in the upper edge of an enlarged head 29 which is journaled in the hearing, or socket structure, 18 and is rigidly secured to and forms in effect a part of the shaft 30 which extends downwardly through a housing 31 and is journaled near its lower end in a bearing 32. A beveled gear 33 is rigidly secured to the lower end of a shaft 30 and meshes with a corresponding beveled gear 34 which is rigidly secured to the shaft 7, thereby operative'ly connecting the wringer operating mechanism with the driving mechanism or motor 13 of the washing machine.

As has been stated, the wringer supporting device is pivotally mounted in the bearing, or socket structure, 18 and can be moved about the axis of this socket structure to move the wringer into adjusted posi- Suitable means are provided for seconsequently, the wringer, in its adjusted positions, and in the present construction this same means serves to prevent the removal of.the wringer sup )orting device from the socket structure. freferably this securing means is in the form of a clamp which can be easily operated to secure the wringer supporting device against movement. In the present instance, the socket structure, or hearing, 18 is provided with a transverse'guideway. such as a laterally extending boss 35 which is hollow and has its inner side in open communication with the interior of the socket. The hollow boss also has alined end openings and has mounted therein two clamping members 36 and 37 mounted for movement one toward the other, and each having a contact surface 38 shaped to conform to the contour of the part 17 of the wringer supporting device. Means are provided for moving the two clamping members one toward the other and thus causing them to frictionally engage the surface of the part 17 and to thus resist its movement, either longitudinal or rotatory. To this end I have here shown one of the clamping members, 36, as having rigidly secured thereto a stud, or bolt, 39, which projects loosely through the clamping member 37 and has its end portion screw threaded to receive a nut 40 which bears against the outer end of the clamping member 37. By tightening down this nut 40 the two clamping mem ers may be drawn into gripping contact with the part 17 of the wringer supporting device and will firmly secure this part against movement. 40 may be provided with an operating device or handle, as shown at 41, and this handle is here shown as pivotally mounted on the nut to enable it to be moved into the most convenient operating position.

The operation of the mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the several parts thereof and it will be apparent that I have provided a wringer supporting device and operating mechanism which can be very quickly and easily removed from or placed in position on the frame of the washing machine, and in which the operating mechanism is of such a character that it will be disconnected from or connected with the driving mechanism of the washing machine frame by'the act of removing the wringer or placing the same in position. Further, it will be apparent that the device is provided with means for firmly securing the wringer supporting device and the wringer in adjusted positions with relation to the clothes receptacle or with relation to a tub arranged in proximity thereto. Further, it will be apparent that the mechanism is of a very strong, durable construction and that its operation is of such a simple character that it is well adapted for use by persons having little knowledge of mechanics, and without the use of tools.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a mechanism of the character described, a bearing having a guideway extending transversely to the axis thereof, a part rotatably mounted in said bearing, a pair of clamping members mounted in said guideway and arranged to engage the part which-is journaled in said bearing, and means for moving said clamping members into clamping engagement with said part.

2. In a mechanism of the character described, a bearing havincr a guideway extending transveisely to the axis thereof, a

If desired, the nut part rotatably mounted in said bearing, a pair of clamping members both slidably mounted in said guideway for movement one toward the other to en age the part which is journaled in said bearlng, a stud carried by one of said clamping members, extending loosely through the other clamping member and having a screw threaded portion, and a nut mounted on the screw threaded portion of said stud to impart clamping movement to said clamping members.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, a structure having a socketand provided at one side with a hollow boss, the interior of which is in open communication with said socket, a part rotatably mounted in said socket, a. pair of clamping members slidably mounted in said hollow boss and having surfaces shaped to conform to the contour of said rotatable part, and an actuating device for moving said clamping members one toward the other and into clamping engagement with said rotatable part.

4. In a mechanism of the character described, a structure having a socket and provided on one side with a hollow boss hav ing both ends open and having its intermediate portion in open communication with said socket, a part rotatably mounted in said socket, a clamping member slidably mounted on said boss on each side of said rotatable part and having a surface shaped to conform to the contour of said rotatable part, astud rigidly secured to one of said clamping members and extending loosely through the other clamping member, and a nut screw-threaded onto said stud and arranged to engage the outer end of said other clamping member.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

JAMES L. COF FIELD. 

